Murraya (Murraya, Chinese or Japanese myrtle) is an evergreen shrub. Homeland - Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Pacific Islands. The shrub got its name from the name of the botanist D. Murray. Murai is a wrong name, however, it is often found in unofficial descriptions.
Description of Murraya and its unique healing properties
A plant from the Rutov family looks more like a tree-like shrub, very similar to a money tree, but its difference is in rapid flowering and the presence of fruits. In nature, the height of the bush reaches 1.5 m, with good care at home, it can grow up to 0.7 m.
Smaller sizes are associated with a lack of lighting, moisture and constant heat. The gray-white bark of the tree complements the exquisite emerald leaves.
Routes are very close in quality to citrus fruits, so nature has endowed the shrub with a similar aroma of leaves. Thanks to this, when kept in apartment conditions, Murray refreshes the room well and is used in cooking.
During flowering, the bush is strewn with fragrant white flowers, which are subsequently replaced by saturated red berries. At this time, the room has a jasmine scent. The fruits can be eaten, they have a pleasant sweet taste.
The main healing property is the activity of murraya in the destruction of cancer cells. According to folk healers, taking leaves allows you to avoid or significantly slow down the development of oncology. However, in official medicine, such treatment is not practiced.
Murraya flower exudes a migraine-relieving scent, ideal for treating weather dependence. In medieval Japan, the plant was grown in the emperor’s garden, and the death penalty was imposed for trying to breed outside the residence.
More than 10 plant species are known. Chokeberry muray and small paniculate in size are artificially selected.
What conditions to create in the house for murraya
Under natural conditions, Murraya grows in tropical and alpine regions. Conditions for indoor cultivation provide close to natural. A delicate shrub will delight you with rapid, but at the same time delicate flowering.
Location and lighting
Murraya loves a light breeze, natural temperature drops. In summer, it is installed in a suitable decorative container on the street. It is important to ensure partial shade in order to protect the crown from the scorching sun.
In the apartment, the plant is installed on one of the well-lit windows, preferably facing east or southeast.
In shaded rooms, this plant will need lighting, especially in winter with a short daylight. For these purposes, lamps are used for 4000-5000 kelvin.
Temperature mode
The temperature should be at least +17 ° C. With a decrease in this indicator, the shrub begins to hurt and ceases to form buds with subsequent flowering. The optimum temperature of the content is +18 ... +25 ° C.
Watering and humidity
Murray loves quite plentiful, but not frequent watering. Water it as soon as the soil has formed a dry crust. The plant can be lightly sprayed or set next to a fountain or aquarium.
On summer days, moderate spraying is allowed. For these purposes, apply settled water at room temperature. If the water quality is not very good, it is better to boil it.
Soil and fertilizing
The key to rapid flowering is regular top dressing. It is performed twice a month. For these purposes, a complex fertilizer for citrus fruits is used. Experienced flower growers recommend in autumn to additionally use sticks with fertilizers.
When transplanting and updating the soil, they buy a substrate for citrus fruits and add crushed bark or wood ash to it in equal proportions up to 20% of the total volume.
Cropping and shaping the crown
Trimming the upper branches to shape the murraye is possible only for decorative purposes. This is especially true for bonsai lovers.
The tree perfectly forms a beautiful crown on its own.
Young plants can be ennobled and cut to give the desired shape. To do this, pinch active shoots and cut out internal sprouts that overly thicken the foliage.
Flowering and fruiting
Normal care for Murraya is the key to its year-round flowering. To improve the ovary of berries, the opened buds are pollinated with a brush. Each new flower blooms for about 1-2 days, and the fruits ripen after 4 months.
How to transplant murraya at home
The most difficult process in home cultivation, to which Murraya is demanding, is a transplant. It is better to carry out it once every 2-3 years. The plant is transferred by transshipment, the earth is slightly tamped, the root neck of the tree is left above the ground. Incorrect transplantation will result in cessation of flowering.
After the plant is transferred to a darkened room. Best if it is the north room. They return to their usual place when new shoots appear.
Murray propagation
Unlike other representatives of the flora, in Murraya, propagation by cuttings does not always end successfully. Experienced gardeners for this purpose use purchased seed material, especially since it has a long viability. In nature, a tree perfectly reproduces precisely by seeds.
Cherenkovka procedure (carried out in the fall or in the second half of summer):
- Cut the stalk from a stiffened stalk.
- Cut the leaves of the shoots in half.
- The trunks of the barrel are put into the water, covering the container with a film, it is desirable to warm the greenhouse from the bottom with a hot water bottle that acts as a heating pad.
- When the stalk takes root, it is transplanted into a nutrient substrate for citrus fruits. The soil can be prepared independently from peat and sand in equal proportions.
- The soil is kept moist, with a temperature of + 26 ... +30 ° C.
- Rooting is considered successful after the first leaves appear.
Cuttings are well rooted in peat tablets. Perlite is also used for these purposes. Murraya needs attention, caring for the cuttings is the same as in the case of an adult plant, but more attentive.
Difficulties in growing Murray: diseases and pests
The cause of any lesions (infectious, parasitic) of Japanese jasmine is only improper care. In this case, the conditions worsen, and the immunity drops, which leads to infection and the appearance of parasites.
Manifestations of Murray disease:
- scarce soil substrate, mineral starvation manifests itself in the form of a yellow leaf color;
- leaves may turn yellow from a high pH of the soil;
- possible sunburn in the sun, manifests itself in the form of drying areas along the edges and in the center;
- dry air in the room harms the crown; buds fall off without blooming;
- arachnoid plaque and black dots on the back of the leaf;
- dark plaques with a turn of a leaf and a sticky coating;
- whitish dots and midges on the leaves.
For the prevention and treatment of scabies and spider mites, periodic warm showers do not interfere with the flower. It will also be useful to wash with soapy water and spray with a solution of Actara. This is usually enough to avoid infection. Treatment measures are carried out once a week until the disappearance of parasites.
Mr. Summer Resident: Curious Facts About Murray
Muraiya in the house is a natural flavor and a source of natural spices. As a culinary ingredient, it is used in India, usually as a spicy meat supplement. The leaves are pre-fried and canned in oil, this seasoning is well suited to all meat and vegetable dishes.
The anti-colds properties of muraya have been known since the time of Alexander the Great. Infusion of leaves allows you to quickly get rid of the signs of the disease, also for these purposes you need to chew fresh leaves. Chewing helps get rid of ulcers and stomatitis in the oral cavity.
In Egypt, plant cultivation was practiced to make a special drink, the mention of which is preserved in manuscripts. For this, leaves, flowers and berries were used. Egyptian doctors called him only a life elixir. Features of the preparation did not reach our time.
This plant is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The aroma of flowers normalizes the respiratory processes and promotes good sleep.
The healing properties of Murray, the benefits and harms are now being studied by many research centers. This foreign miracle flower can be grown for medicinal purposes, but you need to pay attention to contraindications for allergy sufferers.
